India to begin deportations of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar

Source: Associated Press

By WASBIR HUSSAIN

GAUHATI, India (AP) — India plans to send seven Rohingya Muslims back to Myanmar in the first deportation of members of the Myanmar minority group since the Home Ministry ordered state authorities last year to identify and deport them and other people in the country illegally.

Senior police officer Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said Wednesday the seven people were arrested in 2012 for entering India illegally and have been held in an Assam state prison.

They are likely to be handed over to Myanmar border guards on Thursday, Mahanta said. India has obtained travel permits for them from Myanmar authorities.